Next month, the United States will introduce a national program aimed at giving every American access to a fast Internet connection, raising the standard from a dial-up connection to broadband. Unlike other nations, however, the U.S. will stop short of declaring broadband access a basic human right.
For some, the right to access the Internet might pale in comparison to other basic human rights, such as the right to life, freedom of expression and equality before the law, but the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights also includes the right to education and the right to work, which may hinge on Internet access.
The United States is currently the only industrialized nation without a national policy for Internet access. Estonia, Greece, France and Finland have recognized Internet access as a basic human right in accordance with the United Nations recommendation.
In 2009, Finland became the first nation to mandate universal broadband along with a minimum speed. All Finns must have access to a 1-megabit per second broadband (Mbps) connection within 2 kilometers of their homes. Finland plans to increase the speed of connection for its populace from 1Mbps to 100Mbps by the end of 2015. What does it mean for Finns? Instead of minutes, data transfers for most tasks — including web browsing, movie streaming and large file downloads — will take only a few seconds.
American citizens who can't access the Internet are at a severe disadvantage, experts say. According to Blair Levin, executive director of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Omnibus Broadband Initiative, more than three-quarters of U.S. companies now accept resumes only online.
The FCC is spearheading the national broadband plan to accelerate broadband deployment across the United States, especially in poor and rural areas. The agency will present its plan to the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Feb. 13.
Great! I'm gonna quit my job so i can live off the government, free housing, free food, free internet! I guess slavery is still alive and well in this country but it has a different face
ReplyDeleteControl and moderation is right behind... watch out, folks... don't let them tell US that we're behind! We're the free market that started this and the free market that will make the current version even better! That is, unless we drink this Kool- Aid.
ReplyDeleteWhy does the government OWE me the right to the internet? I have dial-up because I am on limited income and my priorty is to live within my budget. If the government declares all prople use (or have) broadband than I would not be able to use the internet. Please don't tell me it is my God given right to have internet. I wish yhe government would stay out of my affairs.
ReplyDeletemy concern is if the feds mandate that we the internet is a must have does that in turn mean that they will be the governing authority. We know that the government thinks that it is the their job to tells us what is good and proper already!!
ReplyDeleteAmen to 9:22. Slavery is alive and well, only now we have non-working slaves instead of people who produce something for the good of society. Why can't these people see that they are still slaves when they depend on someone else for their very existance? Just because your card says "idependence" don't make it so.
ReplyDeleteI dont want FREE internet access but I do want FAIR internet access.
ReplyDeleteOur country is woefully behind when it comes to highspeed internet access.I would gladly pay for broadband service but the local utilities do not seem motivated to enhance their networks so that rural customers have access.